Note from the author: March 20th was the one-year anniversary of my posting Chapter 1. I never expected to still be writing the story one year later. I've always known the ending, but the characters are taking me on a roundabout trip to get there. I appreciate the readers who are sticking with me (especially those who were afraid that Thomas and Minnie would end up married). I'm sorry for the recent delays between chapters. On occasion, I'm inconvenienced by the need to make a living when I'd much rather work on the story.
Chapter 85: PUZZLE PIECES
A Few Minutes Later
The Dowager's Sitting Room
The Dowager finished her third sandwich and dabbed her mouth. "Adelaide and I have a great favour to ask you, Barrow."
"I would be pleased to assist Your Ladyships if I am able."
"Barrow, you know nothing of what we're going to ask," reproached the Dowager. "I won't have you buying a pig in a poke."
"Vi, you're being most disagreeable." Lady Bennett nudged the dessert tray closer to Thomas. "Won't you enjoy a nice sponge, Barrow, while I kick Violet under the table?"
Thomas reached for an Eccles cake instead. "I might enjoy a bite of something," he replied, "if Your Ladyship would refrain from kicking. You might kick me by mistake."
Lady Bennett seemed pleased by Thomas' impertinence and responded with her throaty laugh. The Dowager raised an eyebrow in protest. "I haven't been disagreeable. I've been a lamb. Isn't that true, Barrow?"
"Indeed, milady, a lamb ... or at least, in lamb's clothing."
Lady Bennett laughed again. "Well now, Vi, perhaps this young man is suited for our needs after all."
"I'm certain of it, Addy."
Lady Bennett turned her attention to Thomas. "Violet and I are concerned for our dear Ella. She's always been an independent woman. When we were young, she was the only woman among our friends who showed no interest in marriage. She refused suitor after suitor until her mother forced her father to disown her."
"He was a coward!" spat the Dowager.
"Agreed." Lady Bennett paused for a sip of tea and continued. "The mother put all her efforts into Ella's brother, Sebastian, and pushed Ella from her mind. Ella fled to the states where she thought an independent woman would be welcome, and we lost track of her for a few years. We began to think the worst had happened when she showed up on my doorstep."
The Dowager refilled Thomas' cup. "We wanted to be angry at her for not writing, but ..."
"But it was impossible! Only her mother was immune to her intoxicating spirit."
The Dowager nodded her agreement. "Ella fancied herself an artist and wanted to move to Paris. Both Addy and I had been married for a few years and offered to help her financially. She was grateful, but she refused. She had few options and accepted a position as governess."
"Vi, do you remember the day her mother died?"
"How could I forget? That vile woman was throwing a fancy dress ball for Sebastian. She stood at the top of the staircase to make a grand entrance, tripped over her gown, and broke her neck falling down the stairs."
"Cripes!" blurted Thomas.
"Quite!" replied Lady Bennett. "The next day, Ella's father marched straight to his solicitor and changed his will and arranged for Ella to receive a generous allowance. She packed her paints and brushes and moved to Paris."
"You recall the painting in my corridor, Barrow?"
"She was the artist, milady?"
"That's correct."
"And you were the subject?" Thomas asked softly, as though to make the question less offensive.
"Yes," answered the Dowager simply.
"I shall have to leave soon, Vi. Let's stick to the subject."
The Dowager nodded slightly. "Ella has been content in Paris. She lives simply and is surrounded by friends who love her. They have no idea of her wealth."
Lady Bennett grew serious. "You have to understand how it is for people our age, Barrow. When we were younger, we had family and friends, and we were busy with our lives. Now death is our constant companion. Every year another friend or loved one is lost, and pieces of our hearts are chipped away. The losses can cloud our judgment."
The Dowager reached across the table and patted Lady Bennett's hand. "Let's not overdo, Addy."
Lady Bennett sighed and then flashed her charming smile. "So you can see why we need you, Barrow."
"Well ... no, milady ..."
"Addy, haven't you omitted something from your little tale?"
Lady Bennett laughed gaily. "So I have. You see, Barrow, I live in the countryside but have a second home in Paris. During my most recent visit, I was shocked to discover that Ella had taken up with a much younger man. He's handsome, amusing, cultured ... you get the idea."
Thomas looked from Lady Bennett to the Dowager for another clue. "I'm sorry, milady, but I don't."
"He's a fortune hunter," declared the Dowager.
"I see. But what can I do, milady?"
"Addy and I must bring Ella to her senses, but that's not a simple thing. She's not like us. She's stubborn."
Thomas held his tongue.
"We were desperate for a plan when Violet was struck with an inspired idea. Tell him, Vi."
"Often we are better able to recognize our own flaws when we see them in someone else," proclaimed the Dowager.
"That's true, milady, but I still don't see how I can be of assistance."
"Violet is going to visit Ella ... so that Ella can see herself in Vi."
Thomas was growing tired of this game, and these two old women were not making sense. Why would this Ella person see herself in the Dowager? Was the Dowager going to arrive in Paris with a much younger man? Immediately, the puzzle pieces snapped together. "You ... you want me to be a gigolo!"
"Good heavens!" exclaimed the Dowager.
"Of course we don't want you to be a gigolo," chided Lady Bennett.
"I beg your pardon, milady. I don't know what I was thinking." Thomas could feel the colour rising in his cheeks as he stared at his empty cup.
Lady Bennett placed her napkin on the table. "We want you to pretend to be a gigolo."
